Halifax’s North End Renewal

With historic buildings finding new life and cultural venues reopening their doors, Gottingen Street – the neighbourhood’s main drag – is getting its groove back. These five spots are the proof.

May 04, 2014
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By Ken Wallingford

The Nook on Gottingen

The Nook on Gottingen

1. Stop by for lunch or all-day breakfast at the Nook on Gottingen, which serves local Laughing Whale coffee and specialty cocktails like the blueberry lychee liqueur (homemade blueberry lemonade, white rum and lychee liqueur). The menu includes cheekily named favourites, such as the Knotty Goat (roasted garlic goat cheese butter, spinach and marinated mushrooms on a challah bun). Wear your dancing shoes if you’re dropping in on Sunday; the kitchen closes early to make room for the weekly Blues Social Dance at 8 p.m.

2118 Gottingen St., 902-444-9889

"The Garden of Good and Evil" by Aitch & Saddo (Parentheses Gallery)

2. With the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design within walking distance and some of the city’s most affordable rent, the North End is a hot spot for students and artists. Aside from regular art exhibitions, Parentheses Gallery often hosts live shows as part of festivals like the annual Halifax Pop Explosion. Showcasing a variety of mixed-media exhibits from international, national and local artists, the gallery fits right in with the increasingly artsy community. “Gottingen Street is where the creative spirit of Halifax is,” says co-owner Dave Hayden.

2168 Gottingen St., 902-403-3932

3. Housed in a bright blue building, the Company House has won Best Music Venue at the East Coast Music Awards for two years running. The cozy and intimate space was built – from grout to paint – by members of the community, all of whom became regular patrons or performers when the bar opened in 2009. The venue’s event calendar includes everything from poetry reading to open-mike nights and local book/album launches.

2202 Gottingen St., 902-404-3050

Edna

4. Edna is an elegant restaurant with a daily-changing menu. Take a seat at the salvaged barn-board communal table, and order one of the local brewery beers (try the Big Spruce Stout) or an original take on a French 75 (the French 77, made with St. Germaine’s elderflower liqueur). Start with fresh Nova Scotia oysters, and take your pick from mains like melt-in-your-mouth confit duck leg or butternut squash gnocchi in duck sauce.

2053 Gottingen St., 902-431-5683

5. Once a staple on the Halifax music scene, the Marquee Ballroom was reopened with a new look by owner Victor Syperek; the expanded space was outfitted with dramatic red walls, decorative mannequin limbs and bicycle parts hanging from the ceiling. Time your visit to coincide with one of the live shows, which include local acts as well as bigger Canadian bands, such as the Sadies, the Nylons and the Trews.